qfSwartz and Syrrhopodon of Schwaegrichen. 221 



teeth, united at the base into a thickish spongy yellow mem- 

 brane inserted just below the mouth of the capsule. This 

 materially differs from the figure of the same plant given by 

 Schwaegrichen, who has further represented a longitudinal 

 line down the centre of each tooth, which we have not been 

 able to discover. In Syrrhopodon ciliatus, the teeth are si- 

 milar to those of the genus Weissia, separated to the base, 

 erect, or only slightly inclined inwards, and marked with a 

 distinct longitudinal line, which Schwaegrichen has entirely 

 omitted. S. Jasciculatus also has teeth similar to these, but 

 so opaque we have not been able to discover a longitudinal 

 line, if it exists. In imperfect specimens of S. Hobsoni, we 

 find a horizontal membranous annulus, as if when in perfec- 

 tion it might have had the teeth of S. Gardneri, or it may 

 have had a horizontal membrane, as in Calymperes. 



It will now be seen how very nearly allied are some species 

 of Syrrhopodon to the genus Weissia. And, in truth, we 

 should never 'consent to the separation of especially S. eiliatus 

 and riifescens, were it not that they differ so widely in habit 

 from the acknowledged species of Weissia, and are so closely 

 allied to S. Gardneri. Here, therefore, we have adopted the 

 golden rule of Linnaeus, which is equally applicable to the 

 mosses, as to the higher orders of plants : Genus dabit cha- 

 racterem, non character genus. Others may be perhaps more 

 fortunate than ourselves in discovering good generic marks of 

 distinction. 



Calymperes. * 



Gen. Char.— Seta terminalis. Peristomium nullum, os mem- 

 brana spongiosa horizontali tectum. Calyptra sulcata, per- 

 sistens, infra capsulam constricta, apice circa operculum 

 (maturitate solutum) rimis longitudinalibus hians. 

 1. C. Palisoti, foliis lineari-lingulatis, obtusis, submargina- 



tis, siccitate crispatulis ; seta vix exserta. 



Calymperes Palisoti, Schwaegr. Suppl. I. 2. p. 334. t. 98, (in tab. sub. 

 nom. C. lonchophylli. ) 



" Etymologia a Graeca voce velamen ct tranxadigo quoniam calyptra qua fruc- 

 tus tegitur rimis apice aperitur."— Sw. 



